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Female Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the two roles of the ovaries

A
  1. Produce gametes (oogenesis)

2. Produce steroids (oestrogens and progestogens)

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2
Q

Describe the medulla of the ovary

A

Forms the core of the organ and contains loose connective tissue, contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics

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3
Q

Describe the cortex of the ovary

A

Scattered ovarian follicles in a highly cellular connective tissue stroma

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4
Q

What layer covers the tunica albuginea

A

Germinal epithelium; flat simple squamous layer

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5
Q

What layer covers the tunica albuginea

A

Germinal epithelium; simple squamous layer

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6
Q

Describe the process by which oogonia are formed

A

Week 6 gestation germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries; proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia

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7
Q

How are mature oocytes formed

A

Oogonia undergo development and division via meiosis (also termed ova)

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8
Q

What is oogenesis

A

The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia

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9
Q

What is folliculogenesis

A

The growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells

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10
Q

At what stage are there the most oogonia present in a females ovaries

A

7 months in utereo - around 5 million oogonia

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11
Q

What is atresia

A

An apoptosis-based process resulting in the loss of oogonia and oocytes

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12
Q

Name the 3 different types of follicle

A
  1. Primordial follicles
  2. Growing follicles (primary and secondary)
  3. Mature or Graafian follicles
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13
Q

Before birth, at what stage of meiosis does development halt in the follicles of the ovary

A

Prophase 1; many follicles will remain in this state for several decades

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14
Q

In a 20-year-old how many follicles will restart development a day

A

Around 15; drops to around 1 a day in a 40-year-old

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15
Q

What happens to a follicle if it fails to associate with pregranulosa cells

A

It will die

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16
Q

Describe the pregranulosa cells of a primordial follicle

A

Simple squamous granulosa cells

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17
Q

Describe the pregranulosa cells of a primary follicle

A

Cuboidal granulosa cells: zona granulosa

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18
Q

What happens as the oocyte enlarges during the primary follicle stage

A

A layer of special extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida, begins to form between the oocyte and the granulosa cells

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19
Q

Within a late primary follicle, what change happens to the adjacent stromal cells

A

They undergo an epitheloid transformation and go on to form the theca interna

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20
Q

What happens to the theca interna, and what does it produce and secrete

A

It becomes vascularised and secretes oestrogen precursors

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21
Q

What do the outer layers of the late primary follicle form

A

They remain fibroblast-like and form the theca externa

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22
Q

What does the granulosa cell layer begin expressing during the late primary follicle stage

A

Expressing receptors for the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

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23
Q

What do the theca interna cells express during the late primary follicle stage

A

Receptors for luteinising hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary

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24
Q

When can it be said that a secondary follicle has formed

A

When a space called the antrum has formed

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25
What is the antrum filled with
Follicular fluid
26
How big can the largest antral follicle get
About 20mm in diameter
27
What is the cumulus oophorus
The 'mound' of cells extending from the wall of the follicle and surrounding the oocyte
28
What happens in the mature Graafian follicle prior to ovulation
The oocyte and a halo of surrounding cells (corona radiata) will separate from the rest of the lining granulosa cells
29
What happens to the largest Graafian follicle prior to ovulation
The oocyte will complete meiosis I, producing the secondary oocyte and the tiny polar body
30
What is the purpose of the tiny polar body
It takes the second nucleus away to degenerate
31
After the polar body has degenerated the second nucleus what happens to the secondary oocyte
It continues meiosis but halts at metaphase II
32
When will the secondary oocyte complete meiosis and form a fully mature oocyte
Only when it has been released from the ovary and fertilised by a sperm; producing a second polar body
33
Where does the secondary oocyte burst out from the ovary
At the follicular stigma
34
After ovulation, what does the follicle transform into
A corpus luteum containing: 1. Theca lutein cells 2. Granulosa lutein cells
35
If implantation does not occur, what does the corpus luteum become
A white coloured connective tissue called the corpus albicans
36
Name the parts of the uterine tube (from the ovaries)
1. Infundibulum 2. Ampulla 3. Isthmus 4. Uterine part
37
Where does fertilisation normally occur
Within the ampulla
38
Describe the mucosa of the ampulla
Folded and lined with ciliated cells and secretory cells (peg cells)
39
How many layers of smooth muscle exist in the ampulla, and the isthmus
``` Ampulla = 2 layers Isthmus = 3 layers ```
40
Describe the lining epithelium of the isthmus
Mostly secretory with few ciliated cells
41
Name the layers of the uterus (inner to outer)
1. Endometrium 2. Myometrium 3. Perimetrium
42
Describe the layers of the uterus
``` Endometrium = inner secretory mucosa (shed during menstruation) Myometrium = 3 layers of smooth muscle, combined with collagen and elastic tissue Perimetrium = outer visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium ```
43
Name the 2 layers of the endometrium
1. Stratum functionalis (monthly growth, degeneration, and loss) 2. Stratum basalis (reserve tissue that regenerates the functionalis)
44
Describe the lining of the glands within the endometrium
They are lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium
45
When does the proliferation phase of the endometrium last until
Around 1 day after ovulation
46
During the secretory phase, what do the glands of the endometrium secrete
They secrete glycogen
47
What is the cervix
A short cylinder with a small lumen that projects into the upper vagina
48
Describe the structure and lining of the cervix
Fibrous connective tissue covered with: 1. Stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface 2. Mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium closer to the uterus
49
What is the epithelial transition zone in the cervix called
The squamocolumnar junction: common site of cervical cancer
50
What glands exist in the mucous secreting epithelium of the cervix
The endocervical glands
51
If the endocervical glands become blocked, what happens
They expand with secretions forming a Nabothian cyst
52
Name the 4 layers of the vagina
1. Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium 2. Lamina propria of connective tissue rich in elastic fibres 3. Fibromuscular layer (inner circular,m outer longitudinal) 4. Adventitia
53
How is the vagina lubricated
1. Mucous from cervical glands | 2. Fluid from thin-walled blood vessels of the vaginal lamina propria
54
How is the growth of pathogenic bacteria inhibited in the vagina
Commensal bacteria metabolise the glycogen to lactic acid
55
Describe the mons pubis
Skin which overlies a substantial subcutaneous fat pad, which itself overlies the pubic symphysis
56
What is the labia majora
Extensions of the mons pubis, with a similar structure
57
What glands exist in the labia major
1. Apocrine sweat glands | 2. Sebaceous glands
58
Describe the labia minora
Thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles
59
Where does keratinised epithelium extend to in the vagina
To the level of the hymen, where there is a transition to non-keratinised squamous epithelium
60
Name the two tubes of erectile tissue that exist in the clitoris
Corpora cavernosa
61
How many lobes make up the secretory tissue of the breast
Around 15-25: series of ducts drain to the nipples
62
What are the suspensory ligaments
Large condensations that extend from the dermis of the skin to the deep fascia overlying the muscle of the anterior chest wall
63
What is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast
The terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)
64
Describe the duct system in the non-lactating breast
Terminal ductules -> intralobular collecting duct -> lactiferous duct (lactiferous sinus) -> nipple
65
What structure allows for the rapid expansion of the breast tissue during pregnancy
Loose connective tissue surrounding the acini within the lobule
66
What are secretory cells of the acinus in the breast surrounded by
Myoepithelial cells (contractile epithelial cells)
67
Describe the covering of the nipple
Highly pigmented, keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
68
Describe the structure of the nipple
A core of dense irregular connective tissue mixed with bundles of smooth muscle
69
During pregnancy, what do oestrogen and progesterone stimulate in the breast
Proliferation of secretory tissue and fibro-fatty tissue becomes sparse
70
Describe, approximately, the composition of human milk
``` Water = 88% Carbohydrate = 7% (mainly lactose) Protein = 1.5% (mainly lactalbumin and casein) Lipid = 3.5% ```
71
Name the 2 different types of secretion in the breast
1. Apocrine | 2. Merocrine

Histology 2 (9 decks)

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